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Research Methodology

Paper Solution Oct-2005

Q-1 Answer the following:

i. Define µData¶.

Ans:- The reliability of managerial decisions depends on the quality of information. This
qualitative information is known as Data. The quality of information can be expressed in
terms of its representative feature of the reality which can be ensured by usage of a fitting
data collection method.
There are two types of data. a).Primary data

b).Secondary data.
ii. Explain the term µScientific Method¶.

Ans:- Scientific method refers to the body of techniques for investigating phenomena ,
acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

The scientific method has four steps:

1. Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena.
2. Formulation of hypothesis to explain the phenomena. In physics, the
hypothesis often takes the form of a causal mechanism or a mathematical
relation.
3. Use of hypothesis to predict the existence of the other phenomena, or to
predict quantitatively the results of new observations.
4. Performance of experimental tests of the prediction by several independent
experimenters and properly performed experiments.

iii. What is sampling?

Ans:- Sampling is the process of selecting units from a population of interest so that by
studying the sample we may fairly generalize our result back to the population from which
they chosen.
Merits:

a) Sampling is cheaper than the census survey.

b) Analysis of result can be carried out speedily.
Demerits:
a) When the information needed on every units of the population.
b) Sampling gives to rise to certain errors.

iv. Discus the concept of attitude.

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Ans:- The dictionary meaning of attitude is settled behaviour as indicating opinion. While
Thurstone defined attitudes as the sum total of man¶s inclinations and feelings, prejdice or
bias, preconceived notions, ideas, fears, threats and convictions about any specific topic.
v. What is non-sampling error?

Ans:- Non-sampling error are those error which occurs in the different stages of research
expect in the selection of sampling. It also arise in any other subsequent stage such as in
designing a questionnaire ,non response of the respondent, in the analysis and interpretation
of data, etc«
Types of non-sampling errors:
-Defective problem definition

-Defective population definition

-Frame error
-Non-response error
-Measurement error
-Experimental error, etc..
vi. State the merits of open ended questions.

Ans:-These are the question where the respondents are giving free to answer in their own
words.
Merits:
a) Respondent can answer in their own words.
b) Response can be quantum created with any possibility.
c) Level of knowledge and understanding the respondent can be taking.
d) Useful for exploring new area of knowledge.
e) Useful for those respondents who do not answer in fix choice format.

vii. What do you mean by variable? Mention type of variable.

Ans:- Among the students of the same age and intelligence, skill performance is directly
related to the number of practice trait particularly among boys but less directly among girls.
Type of variable:
-Independent variable
-Dependent variable

-Control variable
-Intervening variable
-Extraneous variable

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2. (A) briefly explain the type of research design.

Ans: types of resource design

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1. Exploratory research design

The exploratory research design is focus on the discovery of ideas. Exploration is
particularly useful when researchers useful when researchers lack a clear idea of
the problems they will meet during the study. When the researcher don¶t know
about the problems & to know the additional information.

The area of investigation may be so new or so vague that a researcher

needs to do an exploration just to learn something about the dilemma facing the
manager important variables may not be known or thoroughly defined hypotheses
for the research may be needed.

An exploratory study is generally based on the secondary data that are

readily available. It dose not have a formal and rigid design as the researcher may
have to change his focus or direction, depending on the availability of new ideas
and relationship among variables.

The design of exploratory studies is characterized by great flexibility and ad

hoc versatility. The researcher is invoked in investigating an area or subject about
which he or she is not sufficiently knowledgeable to have formulated detailed
research questions and to state hypotheses about it. Exploratory dose not involve
probability-sampling plans.

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2. Descriptive research design:-
At the name it self revels that it is essentially a research
to describe some thing. It may also use for predicting
purposes.

->description of phenomena or characteristics associated with subject population.

->estimate of proportionof a population that have these characteristics.

->discovery of association among different variables (correlation study).

Decision makers. Descriptive studies can be divided into two broad

categories²

A. cross sectional
B. longitudinal

A. CROSS SECTIONA:
The studies measure units samples of the population at one point.
A cross sectional studies are carried out once and represent a snapshot of one
point of time. A cross sectional study is concerned with a sample of elements
from a given population.
In multiple cross sectional design only one sample of respondents is drawn from
the target population, and information is obtained from this sample only once.
In multiple cross sectional design, there are two or more samples of
responds, and
1. Field study:-

Includes depth study. Field study involves an-in depth study of

problem. Field studies are ex-post-facto scientific inquires that aim finding the
relation and inter relation among variables in a real world environment setting.

Example; reaction of India men towards branded reaction ready-to-wear suit

Strength: they are close to real life , and they can¶t be criticized on the ground that
they remote from real setting or are artificial.

Weakness: One of their major weakness is their ex-post facto character. As a result
interrelations among variables are weaker than they are in laboratory experiments¶.
A there are several variables affecting the response of interest, such studies find it.

Field Survey: Large sample are a feature of the study field survey require good
knowledge like constructing a questionnaire sampling technique used act. Also it is
obvious that a sample survey needs less time than a census inquiry.

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(b) Longitudinal Studies: longitudinal studies are repeated over an extended period.
Longitudinal studies involve panels. Panels are sample respondents who provide
information at regular interval over an extended period of time.

Tow type of panel:-

1. True panel :-
This involves repeat measurement of the same variables.

2. Omnibus panel :-
In ominous panel too a sample of elements being selected & maintained but the info
collected from the member variable.

Consumer attitude to words chine made product.

3. Causal research design :-

At name implies a casual design investigate the casual & effect relationship between two
or more variable.

(A) concomitant variable :-

A condition for inferring causality that requires that the extent to which a cause x &
effect y occur together as predicted by the hypothesis under consideration.

(B) Time order of occurrence of variable :-

The time order of occurrence condition states that the causing event must occur
their before of simultaneously with the effect it can¶t occur aster word it is possible
for each event in a relationship to be both a cause & an effect of the other event.

(C) elimination of other possible caudal factor:-

It means that the factor or variable being investigated should be
the only possible causal explanation in other word when to or more cause of a
given phenomenon have one only one condition is common then that condition may
be regarded as the causal.

Natural experiments

(1) Time series & trend analysis:-

In a time series design data are obtained from the same

sample or population at successive intervals time series data relate to the same sample
trend data relate to matched sample drawn from the population at successive intervals.

(A) the one shot case study :-

The design is also known as the µtry out¶ design it is

Simplest & can be shown symbolically as follows.

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o O

Where µx¶ indicated the exposure a subject or group to an experimental treatment whose
effect is to be observed & µo¶ indicates the observation or measurement take on the
subject or group after am experimental treatment.

(B) Multiple time series:-

Another time series involves the control group symbolically.

O1 O2 O3 o O4 O5 O6

O¶1 O¶2 O¶3 O¶4 O¶5 O¶6

It fails to control history & there may be certain environmental

changes in the later period which may affect the effectiveness of result.

(2) Cross section designs

In the cross sectional design the effect of different levels of treatment are measure
on several groups at the same time. Symbolically a cross sectional design may be shown
as bellow:

o1 O1

o2 O2

o3 O3

o4 O4

The impact of varying levels of treatment is studied on the basis of the sales of the
product in different territories.

There may be some extraneous factor which may affect the sale in a
particular territory.

3. Combination of cross sectional & time series design:

O1 X O3

O2 O4

These design as the name implies, cross sectional

Time-series & cross-sectional design while there can be May variant a more frequently
use design is the ex-post-facto test control group.

2. Controlled experiment

(1) After only with control group

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R o o1

R o2

It has been criticized on the ground that it does not concern itself with the pretest.
However, by avoiding the pre-test. The design provides control over the testing &
instrument effect.

(2) Before after with control group.

R o1 x o2

R o3 o4

As the two before measurements, o1&o3&the two after measurements o2 & o4 are
made at the same points in time the design is able to control history with the help of this
design, one can measure the effect of treatments in three ways o2-o1,o2-o4 &
(o2-o1)-(o4-o3)

(3) Four groups -six study design

The symbolically the design can be show as follows

R O1 o O2

R O3 O4

R o O5

R O6

The effect of treatment can be measured in several ways such as o2-o1, o4-o2,o0-
o5,o1-o3&(o1-o2)-(o4-o3) the after measurement can be show in a 2*n matrix as follows.

No.x x

B. measurement taken o4 o2

No before measurement taken o6 o5

The difference between the rows must indicate the bases for estimating the testing
effect.

OR

Q.2

(A).Define the term µresearch¶ and explain the research process

Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information to

increase our understanding of his phenomenon under study
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³research is the manipulation of thing concept or symbols for the purpose of
generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in
the practice of an art.´

Research =re+search

Process of research

1. Formulating research problem:

a. Problem Statement: The process being at the general level where the usual
symptoms of the problem can be rising cost, decrease in profitability of the
company, increase in new investment opportunity, increase in competition of
the market for the same product.

b. Objective of study: General question is what do we want to achieve.

c. Hypothesis development: A hypothesis is developed so that problem is

stated in words it is very essential to test the hypothesis. Hypothesis is
performed with a problem statement and null hypothesis after testing the
hypothesis anyone is subjected to be true.

2. Research design: Choice of research design depends on many factors. One of the
important factor is nature of the problem, followed by time of the study, cost of the
study, type of sample and type of variable used in the study.

3. Sources of data collection and data collection method: Next step is to

determine the source of data collection. The marketing researcher has to decide
whether to collect primary data or depend exclusively on secondary data.
Data collection method: Secondary data consist of both published and unpublished
data. Primary data can be collected by the method of survey consisting of personal
interview, telephonic survey and mail survey.

4. Sampling technique: Next step to plan the research design is identify the target
population, select the sample if sample is not desired. Researcher must determine
who and how many people to interview what and how many event to observe?
5. Conducting field survey: There are two methods in which field survey can be
conducted:
a. Questionnaire
b. Interview

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6. Processing and analyzing data: once the field survey is over questionnaire has
been received. The data is segregated in a meaningful manner. Data analysis
involve reducing accumulated data to manageable size, number of tables are
prepared to bring out the main characteristics of data.
7. Conclusion: It is given in the form of finding and recommendation. Also limitation
of study should be included, so that work can be done on it in future
8. Report writing: Finally it is necessary to prepare a report otherwise utility of
research decreases. Because many decision is taken on the basis of this research.
Report writing gives you a clear picture of what has been done and what are the
outcomes of study?
Q.3

(A).What do you mean by primary data? How should a researcher evaluate

secondary data before adopting them?

Primary data collation is necessary when a researcher cannot find the data needed
in sources. Primary data is one which is collected in full detail regarding

His research problem under study. Primary data is the first hand data collected for the
immediate purpose of the study by mean of observation surveys, and experiment. The
choice will be influenced by the nature of the problem and the availability of time and
money.

OR

Q.3

(A).How primary data and secondary data differ from each other? State advantage of
secondary data.

Primary data Secondary data

It is the source which originates in time It is the source that source the data from
data the original source

They are more complete and accurate. They may be inaccurate. Unsatisfactory
as per situation

It relates specifically to the problem at they are called historical data gathered
hand. by the people inside or outside
The firm to meet their specifications

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It have two types of sources: There are two sources:
Internal: Personal interview external: Internal: include company records.
retailers, customers, and competitors. External: include libraries, triad
associations &government publication.

Primary data takes a lot of time and the Secondary data is available effortlessly
unit cost of such data is relatively high. rapidly and inexpensively
=>advantages of secondary data:

1. Readily available:

The secondary source may be readily available to the researcher as

such it is convenient to use it if the data are sufficiently reliable. At times he may have to
refer to different originating publication and search through numerous pages.

2. Time severs:

Another advantage is that use of secondary data saves much of the time of
the r4esearcher.This leads to prompt completion of the research project.

3. Better define problem:

As the researcher explores the availability of secondary data

relevant to his project, he finds, in his process, tat his understanding of the problem has
improved. He may even have changed some of his earlier ideas in the light of the
secondary data.

4.Interprets primary data more insightfully:

Secondary data can be used as a basis for comparison

with primary data that the researcher has just collected.

5. Develop an approach to the problem and formulate an appropriate research design it

the help of identifying the key variables.

Q-4 Explain survey method of primary data collection. How would you improve the
response rate of this method?

Ans:-Survey method refers to all methods of obtaining to be needed information through

asking the question to the respondent. This method also known as questionnaire method.
Two significant factors affect the survey methods.
ƒWording of questionnaire must be such that desire information can be obtained accurately.
ƒAbility and willingly of the respondent to give accurate and unbiased information.

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There are three methods of conducting survey: Personal interview, Mail interview and
Telephonic interview.
A).Personal interview:-
Personal interview is the process of communication where face to face
contact between the investigator and respondent is established. It is the conservation
arrange for the purpose of obtaining views of respondent on the topic of inters to the
interviewer.
Merits:
1) It is Superior method
2) Maximum information is sought
3) Regulation of interview
4) Greater degree of accuracy

Demerits:
1) It is expensive method
2) More administrative problem
3) Biased information
4) Time consuming method
B).Mail interview method:-
In this method no face to face contact between investigator and the
respondent.The questionnaire is sent to the mailing address of the respondent with a request
to fill in and return back. The question asked must be answerable quick in terms µYES¶ or
µNO¶.
Merits:-
1) Detail and accurate information
2) It is economical
3) More objectivity
4) It covers wider area
Demerits:-
1) Possibility of poor response
2) It is time consuming
3) Incomplete and inaccurate information
4) Possibility biased information
C).Telephonic interview:-
Under this method , the researcher establishes the contact trough
telephone. In this interview the investigator ask selective question and it must be brief, simple
to the point and non-confidential. Telephone interview are easy to administrator and allow
data will be collected quickly at a relatively low cost. The interview can clarify the questions.

Merits:-

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1) It is economical
2) Unbiased data
3) Best method to elicit information from specific group
4) Quick response is possible
Demerits:-
1) It is of limited use
2) Possibility of no reply
3) Lack of personal observation
4) Problem of validity

OR

Q-4 give the comparision of three servey methods.

Ans:-survey method refer to all method of obtaining to be needed information through asking
the question to the respondents. This method is also known as questionnaire method.

Professors Tull D.S. and Hawking D.I. define survey methods as ³the systematic
gathering of information from the respondents for the purposes of understanding and / or
predicting some aspects of behavior of the population of interest´

There are three methods of conducting a survey ± A personal Interview , Mail Interview and
telephonic interview.

Personal Interview Mail Interview Telephonic Interview

In this method face to face There is no face to faceThere is no face to face
contact between the investigator contact contact
and respondent is establish . Between investigator and Between investigator and
Respondent. Respondent.
Maximum & accurate information Getting Detail & We cann¶tGet accurate
Is sought. accurate information. &detail information .
It is expensive method . It is economical method. It is economical method.

It is time consuming method. It is less time consuming It is also less time consuming
method. Method.
It isn¶t cover wider area. It is cover wider area. It¶s cover wider area.

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Possiblity of replay is there. Some time no replay. Some time here also not
replay.
Quick responsible is possible. Quick responsible isn¶t Quick responsible is possible.
possible.
Personal observation is possible. Lack of personal observationLack of personal observation
. .
Investigator can directing , guidingInvestigator cann¶tInvestigator cann¶t
& supervising the respondents. supervising supervising
The respondents. The respondents.

Requirement of more Less requirement of Less requirement of

administrator staff. administrator Staff. administrator Staff.
Conversation between them is Not fully satisfied. Less satisfied.
More satisfied.

Q-5 (a).distinguish between sampling error and non-sampling error & explain cluster
sampling.

Ans:-

Sampling error Non-sampling error

It is a gap between sample mean & It can arise right at the beginning when the
population mean. problem is define wrongly.
Sampling error occurs because of chanceNon-sampling error are those error is which
variation in the scientific selection ofOccurs in the different stages of research
sampling unit. Expect in the selection of sampling.
For e.g. variation in sample value &For e.g. designing questionnaire, non-
corresponding response
Population value . Of respondent.

Cluster sampling:-

It is the part of probability sampling .it is easy to implement & cost effective method . cluster
sampling is imprecise difficult to compute & interpret result.

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Q-5(a).what is the questionnaire? What point are consider while sequencing the
question in questionnaire?
Ans:-

Definition:- questionnaire is a set of question which is sysytematically arrange and

prepared to investigate information from the respondent .

In other word questionnaire refer to all methods of obtaining to be needed

information through asking the question to the respondent .

sequencing the question in questionnaire:->

i. The specify the question should be interesting in simple.

ii. Qualifying the question should be serve as opening question .

iii. Basic information should be obtain first. followed by the classification and finally

identification of information .

iv. Difficult , sensitive & complex question should be placed let in the sequence.

v. General question should be preside the specific question.

vi. Question should be asked in logical order.

vii. Broad question should be design careful to possible countingencies .

b)Prepare a questionnaire on consumer buying behavior towards ice-cream

Ans: Consumer behaviour towards Ice-cream

Date: _____________

Name of the respondent: __________________

Personal Details.

1. Name
2. Age

General Details.

1. Do you prefer eating Ice-Cream?

Yes No

(If yes than proceed further)

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2. Are you aware of different brands of Ice-Cream?

Yes No

3. If yes, Which brand do you prefer?

a) Vadilal
b) Havmor
c) Amul
d) Others-_____________

4. Why do you prefer the particular brand?

a) Quality
b) Distribution
c) Price
d) Others- ______________

5. Which flavour do you prefer?

a) Chocolate
b) Vanila
c) Strawberry
d) Others-________________

6. When do you prefer eating Ice-cream?

a) With friends
b) In parties
c) Alone
d) Others- _____________

7. Do you get some discount from your distributor?

Yes No

8. Do your distributors send you regular catalog launch brands?

Yes No

9. Are you satisfied with your distributor services?

Yes No

10. If no are you searching for a new distributor?

Yes No

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Q-6

(B)

2. The language of report.

Ans: The language of research report

The reporting use for the report should best requirement of the audience. sentence
should be balanced, short and precise using the proper word and grammar. the report is
easily understood by the layman also what you want to say it clearly says and every one
understand the result that convey to the audience for whom they prepared the research
report.

The fact and information can be conveying in an effective way.

3. Dispersion a tool for data analysis.

Ans: In order to measure this setter statistical Device called measure of disperson.are
calculated.

1 Range

2Mean deviation

3Standad deviation

Range: Range is the simplest possible measure of dispersion and is defined as the
difference between the value of extreme item of a series

Range = (Highest value of an item in a series) ± (Lowest value of an item in a series)

Mean deviation: Mean deviation is the average of difference of the values of the items
from some average of the series.

Standard Deviation: It is most widely used measure of dispersion of a series and is

commonly denoted by the symbol. Standard deviation is defined as the square deviation is
defined as the square root series are obtained from the arithmetic average.

OR

Q-6

(A) Explain need for report writing. Describe the steps of (format) and state various
categories of target audience for research report.

Ans: need for report writing

A good research report requires sufficient experience and insight about his
research activities. A research report is needed due to the following reason:

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1. The research should be considered to be the cumulating act for reflective thinking
2. It is needed for providing a clear picture of research method; sample and
techniques used in conducting the research work.
3. The research report is also necessary for giving shape and form to the investigation
and solidifying it
4. The research report is meant for popularizing the new contributining the discipline
5. It provides systematic knowledge on problem and issue analyze

'eneral format of research report:

Sr.no Description

A Preliminaries

1 Title page

2 Acknowledgement

3 Declaration

4 Table of content

5 List of tables(if any)

6 List of figure(if any)

7 Executive summary

B Textual Body/Main body

1 Introduction-about study

2 Review of related literature

3 Research Methodology

4 Data collection and analysis/ interpretation of data

5 Conclusion and suggestion

C Reference

1 Bibliography

2 Appendix( if any)

3 Glossary(if any)

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(B) Write note on µEditing¶ as a step of data processing.

Ans: Editing: Editing is the first task in data processing. It is the process by which
data are prepared for subsequent coding. As it is a very subjective process, it is necessary
that persons, who are well-qualified and trained in the job of editing, should alone be
entrusted with this responsibility.

Editing is the process of examining errors and omissions in the collected data and
making necessary corrections in the same. This is desirable when there is some
inconsistency in the response or responses as entered in the questionnaire or when it
contains only a partial or a vague answer.